Round 13 Match Report | Vixens vs Firebirds

Headlined by determined efforts from player of the match, Kiera Austin and defender Rudi Ellis, the Vixens took the points despite an at times inconsistent performance.

Q1 | Vixens 18–12 Firebirds
Sophie Garbin (42/47, 89%) came out firing, working cleanly with Zara Walters (26 feeds, 17 goal assists) who brought ferocious circle-edge demand. The contest between Kate Eddy (2 deflections) and Lara Dunkley was physical from the outset as the pair fought for every centre pass, and Eddy covered her trademark pocket drives. Jo Weston (3 deflections) and Ellis (5 gains, 4 deflections, 1 intercept, 2 rebounds) had a few early tips, setting the tone for their side's defensive pressure, while the Firebirds brought intense one-on-one pressure in the Vixens’ attacking end. An impressive rebound from Ellis and an intercept from Kiera Austin (20/24, 83%) changed the momentum of the game to give the Vixens some breathing space. Kate Moloney (29 feeds, 15 goal assists, 1 deflection) was everywhere early, her speed and power down the court propelling her side to a five-goal lead at quarter time.

Q2 | Vixens 31–32 Firebirds
Austin and Garbin found each other seamlessly early in the second term, their passes under the post difficult to defend. The Vixens extended the margin to seven goals, forcing the Firebirds into a tactical time out with 11 minutes to play. The home side continued to transition the ball quickly and convert off their gained ball well, while in response, the Firebirds lifted their defensive pressure forcing several turnovers in just a few minutes to stay close. The visitors brought Emily Moore on into GA, and despite the arms-over work from Ellis and Weston, she had in impact in the power five bringing the margin to just two goals. The Vixens called a tactical time to recalibrate their defensive structures with two and a half minutes to play, but the Firebirds continued their surge converting from some errors in the Vixens' attack end to finish the first half one goal up.

Q3 | Vixens 49–44 Firebirds
Simone McKinnis swung a change after half time, swapping Weston into WD and Eddy into GD. Weston brought her shut-down defensive pressure against Dunkley through the midcourt, while Eddy’s reach and anticipation under the post helped to halt the away side’s attacking connection. The quarter continued goal-for-goal, the Vixens' quick ball movement and Garbin’s holds proving a threat under the post. Ellis preyed on every feed, while Moloney’s movement ensured a strong option always met the ball. The Firebirds called a tactical time out with four minutes to play after the Vixens found some momentum to put themselves a goal up; determined to get the game on their terms, the Vixens got to work, and a late quarter surge and a super shot from Austin (22 feeds, 17 goal assists) saw the Vixens five goals up at three-quarter time.

Q4 | Vixens 64–62 Firebirds
With the game on the line, the Firebirds threw everything at the hosts early and forced a turnover in the opening minutes. The Vixens kept to their strengths, with Walters' vision on the feed and circle drives giving her shooters the best chance at scoring quickly. Ellis continued to fly, while Austin (22 centre pass receives) owned every centre pass. Garbin and Austin stayed calm in the circle, putting up every ball with confidence despite the pressure. With three minutes to play the Vixens led by five goals, but after the Firebirds registered two super shots in a minute, the Vixens called a tactical time-out to restore composure and reset their strategy. With Moloney unflappable through the middle, the Vixens held onto gained ball and remained in the lead to lock in another finals campaign.

THE NUMBERS
55 – Kate Moloney and Zara Walters brought repeat efforts and delivered impressive feeds into Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin, banking 55 feeds between them. The young WA and experienced skipper in Moloney pushed their side over the line, placing the ball to their shooters' advantage despite relentless pressure from the Firebirds' Isabelle Shearer and Ruby Bakewell-Doran.
22 – Player of the match Kiera Austin took 22 centre pass receives, as she controlled the game and set up several scoring opportunities down the Vixens’ scoring end. The goaler was explosive off the mark to lose her tagging defender, and created constant opportunities with her ball movement and quick footwork.

THE COACH SAYS
Simone McKinnis was pleased with her side’s gritty performance and how hard they’ve worked, but maintains there’s work to be done to be successful in finals.

“I take away being grateful for the win, because that locks us in for finals.

“We had to do a lot of work [earlier in the season] on teamwork and connection - our game comes from our love and support and the spirit of the team, and our best game comes from that. We just had to spend some time doing that, it’s important.

“I thought we had a great start and there were patches of great netball. We have to really find consistency and that standard for finals.”

NEXT UP
The Vixens will finish the regular season with a road trip to Perth, facing ladder leaders West Coast Fever at RAC Arena, 4pm AEST Sunday 13 July.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.